Method and system for processing timecard related information in a purchase order procurement system

• US 7,533,042 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2001
• Issued: 05/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle America, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Kakatkar, Kishor, Prakash, Shailesh, Viswanath, Sridatta, Shuder, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Zeender; F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUCHANAN, CHRISTOPHER R
• Application Number:
  US09/982,211
• Publication Number:
  US 20030074287A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,764 Days
• Field of Search: 705/28, 705/1, 705/26
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063118 Staff planning in a project environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A computer software tool for processing timecard related information representing services to be billed wherein the software tool is part of a purchase order procurement system. The software tool is single software system for procurement services composed of a timecard module integrated with a procurement management module. The timecard process includes a base of functions compatible with existing procurement software systems. The system allows a contractor (buyer) to generate a timecard including services, descriptions and amounts. The generation of the timecard triggers a notification to an approving body which then either approves or declines the timecard. Once approved, timecard information can be exported, e.g., using XML, to a payroll or other external service. The timecard information is processed by the procurement system like any other purchase order item and, moreover, the suites of functionality of the procurement system that relate to purchase order items are also available for timecard information. Approvals can be accomplished by email transmitted notifications and email transmitted forms.

Claims

1. A systems, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory comprises program instructions executable by the processor to implement;

a computer implemented procurement module configured to process both purchase order requisitions each specifying one or more goods to be purchased and timecard information specifying time information related to one or more rendered services, said procurement module comprising;

a buyer module configured to;

receive information related to contractor services; and

generate an electronic timecard in response thereto; and

a timecard module configured to;

receive one or more electronic timecards from said buyer module; and

generate a purchase order based on one or more approved electronic timecards, wherein said purchase order is configured for use in generating a payment for said contractor services.

2. A system as described in claim 1 wherein said computer implemented procurement module further comprises a workflow module coupled to said timecard module, wherein said workflow module is configured to allow an approver to approve and decline said electronic timecards.

3. A system as described in claim 2 wherein said timecard module is further configured to generate an approval notification in response to receiving an electronic timecard from said buyer module.

4. A system as described in claim 3 wherein said approval notification is an electronic mail message comprising an approval form readable by said workflow module, wherein said timecard module is further configured to transmit said electronic mail message to an approver related to said contractor services.

5. A system as described in claim 4 wherein said approval form is readable by an electronic mail program, and wherein said computer implemented procurement system is configured to receive said approval form returned after being completed by said approver.

6. A system as described in claim 2 wherein said buyer module is configured to provide a browser based user interface, and wherein said procurement module is configured to be hosted on a remote server system.

7. A system as described in claim 2 wherein said computer implemented procurement system further comprises an external report generating module configured to generate information to be used by external applications, and wherein said external report generating module is configured to format said information using XML data.

8. A system as described in claim 2 wherein said electronic timecard comprises a plurality of line items describing said contractor services and comprising:

a contractor identification;

a description of services rendered;

an amount of hours performed for said services rendered;

an hourly rate for said hours; and

subtotals representing said amount of hours by said hourly rate.

9. A system as described in claim 2 wherein said timecard module comprises a contractor profile for a contractor, said contractor profile comprising:

a contractor identification;

authorized projects for said contractor;

authorized work types for said contractor;

an authorized hourly rate for said contractor; and

an approver for said contractor.

10. A system as described in claim 3 wherein said electronic timecard comprises a plurality of line items, and wherein said approval notification comprises information from said electronic timecard and an accounting code associated with each line item of said electronic timecard.

11. A method of approving an electronic timecard comprising:

a) generating an electronic timecard comprising line items describing;

a contractor;

services rendered;

hourly amounts; and

hourly rates;

b) in response to a), generating a notification to an approver associated with said contractor, said notification comprising an approval form and information related to said electronic timecard;

c) in response to receiving said approval form indicating approval of said timecard, generating a purchase order comprising information from said timecard; and

d) transmitting said purchase order to execute payment to said contractor of said timecard, wherein a)-d) are performed by a procurement system configured to process both purchase order requisitions each specifying one or more goods to be purchased and timecard information specifying time information related to one or more rendered services.

12. A method as described in claim 11 wherein a) is performed by a buyer using a browser based computer system and wherein said procurement system is hosted on a remote server from said buyer.

13. A method as described in claim 11 wherein said notification is a first electronic mail message transmitted to said approver and stored in an electronic mailbox.

14. A method as described in claim 13 further comprising transmitting said approval form from said approver to said procurement system via a second electronic mail message.

15. A method as described in claim 13 wherein said notification comprises accounting codes associated with said line items of said timecard.

16. A method as described in claim 11 wherein d) is performed using XML data.

17. A computer system comprising:

a processor coupled to a bus;

a memory coupled to said bus and comprising program instructions executable by the processor to implement a method of approving an electronic timecard comprising;

a) generating an electronic timecard comprising line items describing;

a contractor;

services rendered;

hourly amounts; and

hourly rates;

b) in response to a), generating a notification to an approver associated with said contractor, said notification comprising an approval form and information related to said electronic timecard;

c) in response to receiving said approval form indicating approval of said timecard, generating a purchase order comprising information from said timecard; and

d) transmitting said purchase order to execute payment to said contractor of said timecard, wherein a)-d) are performed by a procurement system configured to process both purchase order requisitions each specifying one or more goods to be purchased and timecard information specifying time information related to one or more rendered services.

18. A computer system as described in claim 17 wherein as part of a) the instructions are further executable to provide a browser based user interface to a buyer, and wherein said procurement system is configured to be hosted on a remote server from said buyer.

19. A computer system as described in claim 17 wherein said notification is a first electronic mail message transmitted to said approver and stored in an electronic mailbox.

20. A computer system as described in claim 19 wherein said method further comprises transmitting said approval form from said approver to said procurement system via a second electronic mail message.

21. A computer system as described in claim 19 wherein said notification comprises accounting codes associated with said line items of said timecard.

22. A computer system as described in claim 17 wherein d) is performed using XML data.